On October 13, 2024, at approximately 12:30 a.m., Ceres Police Department officers responded to reports of an unresponsive man near a canal adjacent to the former Walmart at 1670 Mitchell Road in Ceres, California. Upon arrival, they discovered 39-year-old Cipriano Cervantes Casas Jr., who had sustained a gunshot wound. Despite first responders' efforts, Casas was pronounced dead at the scene. According to the Stanislaus County Coroner’s Office, Casas was listed as transient but had previously resided in Modesto.
Shortly after this incident, at around 12:35 a.m., officers were dispatched to a second shooting approximately a mile away, near the intersection of Hatch Road and Faith Home Road. A 53-year-old transient man had been shot, sustaining minor injuries from which he is currently recovering. While the proximity and timing of these shootings suggest a possible connection, investigators have not confirmed whether they are related. Ceres Police Department spokesperson Sgt. Dirk Nieuwenhuis indicated that the potential link between the two incidents remains under consideration.
In the course of the investigation, authorities identified a person of interest described as a Hispanic male, approximately 5 feet 7 inches tall, with a stocky build, dark hair, and wearing dark clothing. While his direct involvement in the shootings has not been confirmed, police are eager to identify and speak with him. The department has urged residents and business owners in the northeastern area of Ceres to review surveillance footage from the evening of October 12 to the early hours of October 13 for any individuals matching this description or appearing suspicious.
As of now, no arrests have been made, and the suspect or suspects involved in the shootings remain unidentified. The Ceres Police Department continues to actively seek leads and has requested that anyone with information related to these incidents contact Detective Berlier at (209) 538-5616 or submit tips anonymously through Crime Stoppers.
